Countdown to Ep 3 - "They Stole Max's Brain!"

With Episode 303 making the final turn before hitting the virtual streets, now seems like a good time for a "members only"* thread in which Joe Pinney and I open up the floor to a few questions about the episode.

What can I tell y'all about this ep? It's got:

- Sam as you've never seen him!
- Max taking charge of an investigation!
- Hot Ape-on-Cockroach action!
- More rhinoplastying than you can shake a stick at!
- Sam's surprising new partner!

With Episode 303 making the final turn before hitting the virtual streets, now seems like a good time for a "members only"* thread in which Joe Pinney and I open up the floor to a few questions about the episode.

What, the power to transform into carefully-selected inanimate objects isn't enough? What do you people want, blood?

2. Will this episode have two storylines (one for Sam, one for Max) that you can switch between?

Sam and Max pretty much share the same storyline (at least, I think they do... I mean, it's possible that Max is secretly having some sort of magical fantasy adventure with elves and dragons that represent his various abandonment issues, but that's not very likely), so we won't be juggling multiple storylines this time around. That said, we probably will be going back into Max mode. Of course, without a brain, Max Mode might be a little, um, vacant.

(at least, I think they do... I mean, it's possible that Max is secretly having some sort of magical fantasy adventure with elves and dragons that represent his various abandonment issues, but that's not very likely)

Hi, Mr Stemmle. Somehow you make me even more excited about the forthcoming episode than I was before. Perhaps it's because you're so cheerful and fun-loving and a little mad, infectiously so. I dunno...

Do we get to see any more S1/2 characters in this episode? (personally I hope not because the story is better so far without them)

What role does Sal play?

Do we see more of the Narrator in a more expanded role than just narrating?

Is Skun'ka'pe back?

How is it possible for us to use psychic powers and have S&M share the same storyline?

Are we talking more a fortnight 'til release or nearer a month?

Is Steve Purcell getting any more involved besides OKing stuff?

I understand that most of these probably won't get answered because they give too much away but any reasonable stab at them will be appreciated. Thanks!

Hello there Señor Mike "I'm still not quite sure how to pronounce your last name" Stemmle! Those juicy tidbits of information are whetting my appetite for destruction quite profusely. I won't distract you with repetitions of previously-stated questions, but I thank you for being here to answer them, as well as being generally awesome!

Do we get to see any more S1/2 characters in this episode? (personally I hope not because the story is better so far without them)

Not in THIS episode.

What role does Sal play?

Well, he's a giant talking cockroach, so his range is a little limited. I mean, we tried him out for Hamlet, but it really didn't work.

Do we see more of the Narrator in a more expanded role than just narrating?

You mean, like narrating OTHER stories? That'd be weird.

Is Skun'ka'pe back?

You can't keep a bad ape down.

How is it possible for us to use psychic powers and have S&M share the same storyline?

Ah, I think I see where we're tripping each other up. I tend to think of the "storyline" as being separate from "player I'm currently controlling." To answer your question less coyly, yes, you'll be switching back and forth between Sam and Max again in 303.

Are we talking more a fortnight 'til release or nearer a month?

I'm not sure. I just know it's shooting through the approval processes like excrement through a goose on laxatives.